JOB DESCRIPTION:

All of Southwest’s People come together to deliver on our Purpose; Connecting People to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. The Ground Operations Operational Process Partner supports our Purpose by partnering with Teams within Ground Operations to facilitate and understand the relationship between processes, people, technology, and other supporting artifacts. This role develops and prepares industry-leading business process models that promote and implement Ground Ops modeling efforts. The Ground Ops Operational Process Partner is a strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset, who looks forward to the opportunity to help pilot the future of Southwest Airlines.

Additional Details:

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours.
• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the Senior Operational Process Partner in the ongoing development, process capture sessions and delivery of strategic initiatives using process modeling methodologies.
• Develops and prepares industry leading business process models using best practices that delineate current and future state processes that are ready to be reviewed, approved, and published.
• Collaborates with the Senior Operational Process Partner in preparing presentations regarding current modeling efforts and successes
• Utilizes modeling plans/practices that promote and implement Ground Ops modeling efforts and provides feedback on modeling sessions and models
• Completes regular audits of the Ground Ops manual and compliance publications, partnering with Compliance & Training teams to ensure updates are reflected, as needed, and training content is appropriate
• Observes, reviews and optimizes existing practices across multiple departments with similar functions and looks for opportunities to optimize practices and processes
• Partners with internal Ground Operations teams to compare finalized models, document and maintain business processes within FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved and accepted SWA (Southwest Airlines) Authored manuals.
• Identifies inefficiencies with processes/procedures, articulates the problem/root cause and delivers viable solution recommendations.
• Establishes relationships with Central Publications, Safety and Security, Flight Operations, People, Ground Services, and IT departments.
• Coordinates with the Manager Business Process Publications to track, review and evaluate incoming change requests
• Maintains education of current developments within their expertise, including, but not limited to: Safety Standards, Safe Operating Practices and Applicable Regulations, Enterprise Process Modeling Standards, Conventions and Best Practices
• Mediates when organizations are not aligned and drive towards a recommendation or solution
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability using Continuous Improvement (CI) and LEAN methodologies
• Ability to work within regulatory constraints with a strategic mindset
• Advanced knowledge of business process modeling and redesign.
• Advanced Knowledge in producing business process models during process discovery sessions
• Advanced ability to visualize, articulate, and condense complex initiatives, problems, concepts, etc., into concise, easily understood updates and/or presentations
• Advanced Knowledge in aviation safety standards, safe operating practices, and FAA regulations
• Skilled in delivering an elevated level of hospitality, responsibility, and collaboration in a cross-functional, team-oriented environment.
• Skilled in overseeing multiple tasks and assignments to achieve an individual successful completion rate.
• Proficiency in Excel to perform basic data analysis, including the use of formulas, pivot tables, and lookups
• Proficiency in PowerPoint with the capability to construct detailed, articulate, and standardized presentations
• Ability to recognize corporate strategy via effective initiative and work stream oversight, including ensuring appropriate resource engagement and initiation of cross departmental collaboration

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Advanced level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
• Airline Ground Operations
• Business process modeling and redesign
• Safety standards, safe operating practices, FAA regulations
• Project management methodology
• Preferred: Experience in root cause analysis as well as Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen methodologies
• Preferred: Knowledge of Visio

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from [limited space work station/desk/office area] for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

Other Qualifications

• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
• Occasional overnight travel as needed, based on business needs

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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Job Posting End Date
08/21/2025

• Partners with the Senior Operational Process Partner in the ongoing development, process capture sessions and delivery of strategic initiatives using process modeling methodologies.
• Develops and prepares industry leading business process models using best practices that delineate current and future state processes that are ready to be reviewed, approved, and published.
• Collaborates with the Senior Operational Process Partner in preparing presentations regarding current modeling efforts and successes
• Utilizes modeling plans/practices that promote and implement Ground Ops modeling efforts and provides feedback on modeling sessions and models
• Completes regular audits of the Ground Ops manual and compliance publications, partnering with Compliance & Training teams to ensure updates are reflected, as needed, and training content is appropriate
• Observes, reviews and optimizes existing practices across multiple departments with similar functions and looks for opportunities to optimize practices and processes
• Partners with internal Ground Operations teams to compare finalized models, document and maintain business processes within FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved and accepted SWA (Southwest Airlines) Authored manuals.
• Identifies inefficiencies with processes/procedures, articulates the problem/root cause and delivers viable solution recommendations.
• Establishes relationships with Central Publications, Safety and Security, Flight Operations, People, Ground Services, and IT departments.
• Coordinates with the Manager Business Process Publications to track, review and evaluate incoming change requests
• Maintains education of current developments within their expertise, including, but not limited to: Safety Standards, Safe Operating Practices and Applicable Regulations, Enterprise Process Modeling Standards, Conventions and Best Practices
• Mediates when organizations are not aligned and drive towards a recommendation or solution
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leader